ANN ARBOR, Mich. – On the very night several Muslim students at the University of Michigan were being given an award for bringing attention to Islamophobia, anti-Islam messages showed up big and bold on the Diag.
Thousands walk across the Diag at the University of Michigan every day, and thousands saw the anti-Islam graffiti that had been chalked on the ground and on the benches.
Plenty of students showed up with rags and buckets to wash it away. The university only removes graffiti if it's paint
Students say the ugliness persists.
In addition to the anti-Islam graffiti, there was plenty of pro-Trump graffiti on the Diag.
University of Michigan's office of public affairs released this statement overnight:
"Earlier today someone used chalk to write a #stopislam message on the main square in the heart of our campus known as the Diag.Attacks directed toward any member or group within the University of Michigan community, based on a belief or characteristic, are inconsistent with our values of respect, civility and equality.
We all understand that where speech is free it will sometimes wound.
But our message is this: We are fully committed to fostering an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of everyone.
Tonight we are reminded there is much work yet to be done."